Writers and graphic artists for The Hudson Reporter newspapers recently won eight awards in the competitive statewide annual Better Newspaper Contest run by the New Jersey Press Association.
The weekly chain, with offices in Hoboken and Bayonne, publishes eight newspapers: The Hoboken Reporter, Bayonne Community News, Weehawken Reporter, Jersey City Reporter, Secaucus Reporter, North Bergen Reporter, Union City Reporter, and the West New York Reporter.
The company also publishes the lifestyle magazines Hoboken 07030, Jersey City Magazine, and Bayonne: Life on the Peninsula. Online versions of the publications appear at www.hudsonreporter.com.
In the NJPA contest, the Reporter papers compete with publications in all 21 counties in New Jersey to win awards in categories like spot news reporting and advertising design.
Graphics and sales awards
The Reporter’s sales and graphics teams scored four first place awards, as well as two other awards.
Two of them were for advertisements that appeared in the Bayonne Community News. Senior Graphic Artist Lisa M. Cuthbert’s win in the Best Special Section Cover category was called “A Gift From Me to You…Shop Bayonne.”
In the category Best Community Service or Shared Ad, Senior Graphic Artist Pasquale Spina and Advertising Manager Tish Kraszyk won first place for their design of “Shop Broadway.”
“We are a very small company,” Kraszyk said. “We are fortunate to have an enormously talented staff of artists and writers. Their dedication to the quality of the stories, layout and creative give the advertising team confidence in the newspapers and magazines we promote. They are all first place winners in my book.”
Cuthbert also won a first place award for Best External Promotion Piece or Media Kit for her media kit for 07030, the Hudson Reporter company’s Hoboken magazine, and for Jersey City Magazine.
“I would like to not only congratulate all the winners, but all my colleagues at the Hudson Reporter for always trying their very best often under difficult situations,” Cuthbert said. “This is an extremely competitive profession, so to be recognized by your peers is truly an honor and an accomplishment.”
Spina remarked, “It is my pleasure to congratulate my colleagues on winning their awards in this year’s NJPA’s contest. These awards and recognition bring honor not only to yourselves, but to the entire industry of which you are such illustrious representatives.”
First place also went to Graphic Staff Artist Alyssa Bredin and Classified Manager Ann Reilly for Best Classified House Ad in the Jersey City Reporter for their entry “Classified Advertising Works.”
“We wanted this ad to show people that the classifieds are still a great local resource,” said Reilly. “This award is such an honor. We’re proud of all of our coworkers—there’s a lot of talent around here!”
Kraszyk and Graphic Staff Artist Patricia Verano won third place for Best External Promotion Piece or Media Kit for their design for “It’s a Summer Heat Wave!” in the Bayonne Community News.
Stories won awards
The reporters won three awards for investigative stories published last year. Hoboken beat reporter Dean DeChiaro’s story “Meet Your Future Mayor” in the Hoboken Reporter in October 2013 won third place in the Reporting–Writing and Illustration category and was an overview of all three candidates vying for the city mayoralty. It asked tough questions of the candidates weeks before the election.
“This was a hotly contested election between three strong candidates, and there were lots of issues and events that I felt the Hoboken public had the right to be aware of so that they could make an informed decision on Election Day,” said DeChiaro. “I hope that this award means that my coverage achieved its goal.”
Former staff writer Amanda Palasciano earned a second prize in the category Reporting–Writing and Illustration for her January 2013 story in the Hoboken Reporter, “Long Cold Walk to School,” detailing how damage from Hurricane Sandy forced parents of pre-schoolers to walk their children long distances to attend classes. Palasciano also won third place in enterprise (investigative) reporting for a story in June 2013 entitled “Part of Wonder Bread Factory to Become Condos,” which captured the ongoing transition of the city from an industrial center to an upscale residential community.
“Both of these stories meant a great deal to me and to the community and were very complex in nature,” Palasciano said. “The ‘Long Walk to Pre School’ series unearthed a variety of discoveries and gave a voice to some Hoboken citizens who desperately needed one. The ‘Wonder Bread’ structure is my former building so I was well versed in the confusion of its residents. I am very proud of both of these awards and the awards of my former colleagues.”
Palasciano had also won investigative awards the previous year for her political reporting.
“There aren’t many local media outlets left that press our local leaders for answers to hard questions,” said Editor-in-Chief Caren Matzner. “Our journalists work very hard to present stories that draw attention to important issues and make a difference in our towns. Dean’s story about the mayoral candidates asked about a lot of controversial issues that we’re still, in some cases, trying to get answers to. Amanda’s stories drew attention to situations that people needed to be aware of. These awards are a good reminder of the work we do, as it’s easy to forget all the things the press does.”
Awards banquet
Co-publishers Dave Unger and Lucha Malato were gratified by the recognition accorded their work force.
“What an honor for our staff to win eight editorial and advertising awards from the New Jersey Press Association,” Unger said. “It is gratifying for the hard work and dedication of our staff to once again be recognized by our industry.”
Malato agreed. “I congratulate all the winners and the entire staff for producing such impressive work year in and year out.”
Press Night for editorial, online (editorial) and photography awards was held at The Manor in Hamilton on Thursday, April 10. The Advertising Awards Celebration for retail and classified advertising and online advertising winners will be held on Thursday, April 24.